Consultant Ecologist

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Lower Blandford St Mary; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £26k-£30k per year

Flexible working

28 days annual leave

Private health insurance

Training budget

External training days

Structured appraisals

Diverse project portfolio

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Consultant Ecologist to join a well-established ecological consultancy in Bournemouth, Dorset. The role offers a varied workload across residential developments, housing schemes, infrastructure and conservation projects, with a clear path to develop ecological expertise.

You will work on PEAs, protected species surveys, ecological reports for planning, and mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive approach and enthusiasm for developing ecological expertise.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Full right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) and habitat surveys.
• Conducting protected species surveys (bats, reptiles, and other UK wildlife).
• Preparing ecological reports to support planning applications.
• Assisting with mitigation strategies and protected species licensing.
• Supporting habitat creation, enhancement and management plans.
• Contributing to ecological assessments for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
• Liaising with clients and project teams to provide practical ecological advice.
• Supporting on-site mitigation implementation.

Skills

Communication skills

Driving licence

Right to work in UK

Education

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science

Job description

Consultant Ecologist

Location: Bournemouth. Salary: £26,000 – £30,000 (depending on experience). Contract: Permanent | Full-time.

An established independent ecological consultancy is looking to appoint a motivated Consultant Ecologist to join its team in Bournemouth, Dorset. Working across a diverse portfolio of projects, from residential developments and home extensions to larger housing schemes, infrastructure and conservation projects, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your ecological expertise within a specialist consultancy.

The company offers a varied workload, a supportive team environment and a genuine commitment to professional development, making this an ideal opportunity for an ecologist looking to build their career.

What You’ll Be Joining

You will be joining a well-established ecological consultancy with experience across development and conservation projects. The team works on projects from initial ecological surveys and planning applications through to mitigation, habitat enhancement and implementation.

The business places a strong emphasis on staff development, offering tailored training, flexible working arrangements and opportunities to develop specialist areas of interest.

Salary & Benefits

• £26,000 – £30,000 salary, depending on experience
• Flexible working arrangements, including home and office working
• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private health insurance available
• Dedicated training budget and in-house training
• Two days per year for external training or volunteering
• Structured appraisals and clear career progression opportunities
• Varied project portfolio across development and conservation

The Role

• Undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) and habitat surveys
• Conducting protected species surveys, including bats, reptiles and other UK wildlife
• Preparing ecological reports to support planning applications
• Assisting with ecological mitigation strategies and protected species licensing
• Supporting habitat creation, enhancement and management plans
• Contributing to ecological assessments for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects
• Liaising with clients and project teams to provide practical ecological advice
• Supporting the implementation of mitigation measures and ecological works on site

About You

• A relevant degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline
• Experience working within ecological consultancy or undertaking ecological surveys
• Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and ecological survey methodologies
• Experience with PEAs, protected species surveys or ecological report writing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A proactive approach and enthusiasm for developing your ecological expertise
• Full UK driving licence
• Full right to work in the UK
• Based in or within a commutable distance of Bournemouth, Dorset

Why This Role?

• Competitive salary of £26,000 – £30,000
• Flexible working and a supportive team environment
• Access to training and opportunities to develop specialist ecological skills
• Exposure to a diverse range of development and conservation projects
• A structured approach to career progression
• The opportunity to contribute to meaningful ecological and conservation work